New Jazz Drumming Experience For Chad Smith – Video.

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014

A new album called the Process, with Bill Laswell, Jon Batiste, and Chad Smith coming in early 2015! The Process is a movie that was never released and became a recording instead. It’s a set from legendary bassist-producer Bill Laswell, legendary Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and young visionary pianist Jon Batiste that is described as “avant-funk, African styles, electric Miles Davis, Meters, Mutant Hip Hop, Ginger Baker…and more. That’s a mouthful but it may be an exact description of the wide –ranging styles, rhythms and hues tackled by the trio.The record, featuring extended improvisation and vocal contributions from Adebimpe (TV on the Radio), Killah Priest (Wu-Tang Clan) and others, is several steps beyond what we’ve come to expect from Chad Smith. Though varied in style and approach the tunes hang together because of the tight relation between the leaders and unusual sonic palette they acheived.

“I wanted to take a risk and be inspired by other musicians who feel the same,” Chad said. “There wasn’t any music written before we got to the studio. Whatever comes into your head, grab a rhythm and run with it.

“Jon and I had an unspoken musical telepathy from the very first time we jammed at the church in Harlem. He’s the main inspiration for me wanting to do this. Bill is kind of a mad scientist, his work speaks for itself…and it has been cool to see how he works.

“This is very different from the Peppers. The basic recording and music was done in short 3-day sessions. Everyone was out of their musical comfort zones. That was Bill’s idea, and it was challenging not to fall back and go for what you know. I tried not to play grooves I’ve done before. I know Jon was stretching as well.

According to Laswell the project began “by exploring each other’s musicianship, laying out fundamental structures and patterns, morphing them into new and alternate shapes fused together to form constructs – then adding new sounds, words and first-rate musicians to the growing core..” He adds, “I kept saying: it’s a Process, it takes time…The result is strikingly unique.” The album is out on M.O.D.